Jesus was not eligible to be a priest after the order of Aaron because Aaron's priesthood was limited to the tribe of Levi, and Jesus came from the tribe of Judah.
Hebrews 7:14 states clearly that our Lord sprang out of Judah, a tribe that never served at the altar. Since the Aaronic priesthood belonged exclusively to Levi, Jesus could not qualify by descent. Les Feldick explains that this is why a different priesthood — the order of Melchizedek — was necessary, one not tied to Israel's law.
Hebrews 7:14 — This verse directly states that Jesus descended from Judah, not Levi, making Him ineligible for the Aaronic priesthood.
Hebrews 7:11-12 — These verses explain that the Levitical priesthood and the law were linked, so a new priest after Melchizedek's order required a change of the law.
The book of Hebrews ties the Levitical priesthood to the law given to Israel. Hebrews 7:11 asks that if perfection were by the Levitical priesthood — for under it the people received the law — what further need was there that another priest rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? Hebrews 7:12 then states plainly: "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law." Hebrews 7:13-14 gives the reason: the one spoken of belongs to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. The passage concludes, "For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood." This places Jesus outside the Levitical line by tribal descent.
Les Feldick teaches that Aaron was Israel's first high priest and that every priest in Israel had to come from the tribe of Levi, but Jesus came from the tribe of Judah (Clip 1). Because of His tribal descent, Jesus could not serve in the Aaronic order. Les also explains that Melchizedek, who appears before Israel became a nation, was a high priest of a Gentile community and laid the groundwork for a priesthood not tied to the law of Israel (Clip 0). Since Christ is high priest after the order of Melchizedek rather than Aaron, He is not just the high priest of the Jew but of every human being, covering the whole spectrum of humanity (Clips 2-4). Les further identifies Melchizedek as a theophany — God the Son appearing to Abraham in human form — to establish the high priest that Gentiles need (Clip 0).
Hebrews 7:14 says Jesus sprang out of Judah. Les Feldick notes that when Israel encamped around the tabernacle, Judah was the leading tribe and the first to move out, and it was from Judah that Christ came — not from Reuben, the eldest son, and not from Levi (Clips 6, 1). Levi, by contrast, was set apart as the priestly tribe and had no land inheritance like the other tribes (Clip 5).
Les Feldick teaches that Melchizedek was a Gentile high priest who appeared long before Israel became a nation, and he pictures the high priest that Gentiles need — one not tied to the law of Israel (Clips 0, 4). Christ, as priest after Melchizedek's order, is high priest of every human being, not just of Israel out of the tribe of Levi in the line of Aaron (Clips 2, 3, 4).
Hebrews 7:12 states that when the priesthood changes, there is also necessarily a change of law. Les Feldick connects this to the fact that Melchizedek's priesthood was not tied to the law of Israel, and that the high priest of Israel could not serve as the high priest of a Gentile community (Clip 0). Jesus' priesthood in the order of Melchizedek therefore operates outside the Mosaic law.
Les Feldick teaches that even though Jesus came from Judah, His baptism symbolically fulfilled the washing required of the priesthood and identified Him with His covenant people, Israel. This shows that priesthood imagery still pointed to Him, even though His priestly order is Melchizedek's rather than Aaron's (Clip 7).
Melchizedek as a Theophany and Gentile High Priest
Feldick teaches that Melchizedek was God the Son appearing to Abraham in human form, and that this priesthood was for Gentiles, not tied to the law of Israel.
Jesus Came From Judah, Not Levi
Feldick reads Hebrews 7:11-14 and stresses that no one under the Mosaic priesthood could be a priest unless he was from Levi, while Jesus came from Judah.
Melchizedek Order Covers All Humanity
Feldick explains that the Melchizedek priesthood covers the whole spectrum of humanity, whereas an Aaronic priesthood would have been only for the Jew.
Christ as High Priest of Good Things to Come
Feldick says Christ is high priest after Melchizedek, not Aaron, making Him high priest of whomever we might be, and connects this to His heavenly ministry.
High Priest of Every Human Being
Feldick emphasizes that Christ is not high priest after the order of Aaron from the tribe of Levi, but after Melchizedek, making Him the high priest of every human being.
Levi as the Priestly Tribe
Feldick notes that Levi was the priestly tribe and had no land inheritance, showing the unique standing of the priestly tribe in Israel.
Judah as the Leading Tribe
Feldick points out that Judah was encamped before the main gate and led Israel's march, indicating that Christ came from Judah, not Reuben or Levi.
Baptism as Priestly Washing
Feldick teaches that Jesus' baptism symbolically fulfilled the washing of the priesthood and identified Him with the nation of Israel.
Hebrews 7:11: If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
This verse raises the question of why a priest after Melchizedek's order was needed if the Levitical priesthood could bring perfection.
Hebrews 7:12: For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
This shows that Jesus' new priesthood is connected to a change in the law, since the old priesthood and law were tied together.
Hebrews 7:13: For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
This verse points out that the one spoken of belongs to a different tribe, one that never served at the altar.
Hebrews 7:14: For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
This verse is the direct scriptural proof that Jesus came from Judah, not Levi, and therefore could not be an Aaronic priest.
No. The Aaronic priesthood was restricted to the tribe of Levi, and Jesus came from the tribe of Judah. Hebrews 7:14 says it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda, a tribe about which Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
Jesus was from the tribe of Judah, not Levi. Les Feldick notes that Judah was the leading tribe of Israel, and that Christ came from Judah, while the priestly tribe was Levi.
Les Feldick teaches that Melchizedek was a theophany — God the Son appearing to Abraham in human form. He was a high priest of a Gentile community and laid the groundwork for a priesthood that would represent Gentiles, not tied to Israel's law.
Yes. Because Jesus is high priest after the order of Melchizedek rather than Aaron, He is not just the high priest of Israel but the high priest of every human being, covering the whole spectrum of humanity.
Watch the Teaching: Jesus as High Priest: The Order of Melchizedek Explained